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On November 15, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Education announced that it has awarded Environmental Literacy Grants totaling more than $8 million to 17 institutions, including seven ASTC member museums, to engage the public in science education activities that improve understanding and stewardship of the local and global environment.

“NOAA is pleased to be working with such a dedicated and diverse group of science education institutions,” said Jane Lubchenco, under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “Our new investments strongly support NOAA’s efforts to encourage public stewardship activities and informed decision making. We are excited about the opportunity to work more closely with lifelong learners.”

ASTC-member recipients are:

American Museum of Natural History, New York City: $826,112 for “Exploring Earth Systems: Expanding Data Visualization Experiences for Museum Learners”

California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, and Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Colorado, in partnership with the University of Louisville, Kentucky: $1,248,123 for “A collaborative project: The Worldview Network: Ecological Literacy Programming for Digital Planetariums and Beyond”

Exploratorium, San Francisco: $517,900 for “Embedding NOAA in a Public Learning Laboratory—The Environmental Scientist-In-Residence Program at the Exploratorium”

Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond: $295,202 for “Science on a Sphere—Earth Systems Display Center at Science Museum of Virginia.”

NOAA’s Environmental Literacy Grants program is a competitive U.S. national grant program focused on creating an environmentally literate public that uses a comprehensive understanding of the role of the ocean, coasts, Great Lakes, weather, and climate in the global ecosystem to make the best social and economic decisions. The program provides funding for an array of educational organizations that reach diverse audiences.